UNIT 1 - CHAPTER : 1

COMPUTER SYSTEM
1 What is a Computer? What are its characteristics?
Ans A computer is an electronic device which inputs data or instructions, stores and processes it and
produces output in the desired form.
The main characteristics of a computer are:
1)Speed:
Computers can process data at an extremely fast rate.
2) High Storage Capacity:
Computer can store large amount of information in very small space.
3) Accuracy:
It can perform all the calculations accurately.
4) Reliability:
Computers are immune to tiredness.
5) Versatility:
Computers can perform repetitive jobs efficiently.
2 Briefly explain the basic Components of a Computer?
Ans A computer system primarily comprises a central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output
devices and storage devices. All these components function together as a single unit to deliver the
desired output.

3 What are input devices? What is its significance? Give example

Ans The devices through which control signals are sent to a computer are termed as input devices.
These devices convert the input data into a digital form that is acceptable by the computer system.
Some examples of input devices include keyboard, mouse, scanner, touch screen, etc.
4 What is CPU? What is the function of CPU in a computer system?
Ans It is the electronic circuitry of a computer that carries out the actual processing and usually referred as
the brain of the computer. It is commonly called processor/ microprocessor also.
The CPU is given instructions and data through programs. The CPU then fetches the program and
data from the memory and performs arithmetic and logic operations as per the given instructions and
stores the result back to memory. While processing, the CPU stores the data as well as instructions in
its local memory called registers. Registers are part of the CPU chip and they are limited in size and
number. Different registers are used for storing data, instructions or intermediate results.
 5 What are the two main components of CPU? Write their functions also.
Ans the CPU has two main components — Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and Control Unit (CU).
ALU performs all the arithmetic and logic operations that need to be done as per the instruction in a
program.
CU controls sequential instruction execution, interprets instructions and guides data flow through the
computer’s memory, ALU and input or output devices.
6 What are output devices? What is its significance? Give example
Ans The device that receives data from a computer system for display, physical production, etc., is called
output device. It converts digital information into human understandable form.
For example, monitor, projector, headphone, speaker, printer, etc
7 What is a Bit? What is a binary Code?
Ans Bit means a binary digit either zero or 1. A bit is the elementary unit of memory.
A Binary Code is a code written in Binary language. It is a combination of zeroes and ones.
8 What is the function of memory? What are its measuring units?
Ans Memory temporarily holds the data and information during processing. The memory of computer is
often called main memory or primary memory.
The smallest unit of memory is a byte (8 bits). A byte can store one character in binary form.
Other measuring units are:
8 bits = 1 byte
4 bits=1 Nibble
1024 or 210 byte = I Kilobyte (KB)
1024 or 210 KB = 1 Mega byte (MB)
1024 or 210 MB = 1 Giga byte (GB)
1024 or 210 GB = 1 Terra byte (TB)
1024 or 210 TB = 1 Peta byte (PB)
9 What are the different types of memory?
Primary Memory
Primary memory is an essential component of a computer system. Program and data are loaded into
the primary memory before processing. The CPU interacts directly with the primary memory to
perform read or write operation. It is of two types viz. (i) Random Access Memory (RAM) and (ii)
Read Only Memory (ROM).
Secondary Memory
Secondary memory is used to permanently store the data or instructions for future use. Examples of
secondary memory devices include Hard Disk Drive (HDD), CD/ DVD, Memory Card,Pen drives
etc. there are secondary storage devices like SSD which support very fast data transfer speed as
compared to earlier HDDs.
Cache Memory
A very high speed memory placed between the CPU and the primary memory to speed up the
operations of CPU is called Cache memory.
10 Differentiate between primary memory and secondary memory
Ans Primary Memory Secondary Memory

1.)Holds data and instructions as well as 1.)This is a permanent memory. It can store large
intermediate output while processing. This volume of information permanently.
is temporary in nature.
2.)It is not directly accessible by the CPU.
2.)It is directly accessible to the CPU.
3.)The size of the Secondary memory is in the
3.)It has limited capacity. range of GB.
4.) It has more sped and high cost. 4.)Compared to primary memory, the secondary
memory has less speed and less cost.
11 Write the parts of main memory.
Ans Main Memory is divided into two types-
–RAM (Random Access Memory)
–ROM (Read Only Memory)
The memory which is in direct contact of CPU is known as primary memory. RAM and ROM both
remains in direct contact of CPU.
12 How many parts of Primary memory are there? Differentiate them.
Ans RAM ROM

• Data in the RAM can be modified ie. • Data cannot be modified.

edited, deleted.
• ROM is non volatile memory.
• RAM is volatile memory.
• Contains program booting up the
• Keeps the operating system program, computer.
application program in use.
• ROM is expensive.
• RAM is cheaper.

13 What is the meaning of volatile Primary Memory? What can be done to overcome the problems of
volatility?
Ans Volatile Primary memory refers to the temporary storage nature of the primary memory. The contents
are erased if the power supply fails.
To overcome the problem of volatility, secondary memory is used along with primary memory.
14 Write short note on Read Only Memory(ROM).
Ans As its name implies, this memory is only for read operations.
•It is programmed at the time of hardware setting and whatever we store in this memory cannot
change later.
•ROM is to be used in the situations when we know that information needs not to be changed in
future.
15 What is a Software?
Ans The set of instructions needed for hardware to be operated is known as software.
16 What are the Software classifications?
Software can be broadly classified into three categories
(i) System software
(ii) Programming tools and Language Translators
(iii) Application software
17 What is System Software? Give example
Ans The software that provides the basic functionality to operate a computer by interacting directly with
its constituent hardware is termed as system software.
Examples of System software include operating system , system utilities , device drivers etc
18 Define the following
1.Operating System:
The operating system is a system software that operates the computer. It acts as an interface between
a user and the hardware. An operating system is the most basic system software, without which other
software cannot work. The operating system manages other application programs and provides access
and security to the users of the system. Some of the popular operating systems are Windows, Linux,
Macintosh, Ubuntu, Fedora, Android, iOS, etc.
2. System Utilities:
Software used for maintenance and configuration of the computer system is called system utility.
Some system utilities are shipped with the operating system for example disk defragmentation tool,
formatting utility, system restore utility, etc. Another set of utilities are those which are not shipped
with the operating system but are required to improve the performance of the system, for example,
anti-virus software, disk cleaner tool, disk compression software, etc.

3. Device Drivers:
The purpose of a device driver is to ensure proper functioning of a particular device. When it comes
to the overall working of a computer system, the operating system does the work. But everyday new
devices and components are being added to a computer system. It is not possible for the operating
system alone to operate all of the existing and new devices, where each device has diverse
characteristics. The responsibility for overall control, operation and management of a particular
device at the hardware level is delegated to its device driver.

The device driver acts as an interface between the device and the operating system. It provides
required services by hiding the details of operations performed at the hardware level of the device.

4. Programming tools:
A programming tool may be any software program or utility that aids software developers or
programmers in creating, editing, debugging, maintaining and/or performing any programming or
development-specific task.
4.i) Classification of Programming Languages:
Programming Languages are broadly classified into:
i) Low Level Languages – Low-level languages are machine dependent languages and include
machine language and assembly language. Machine language uses 1s and 0s to write instructions
which are directly understood and executed by the computer.
ii) High Level Languages - High level languages are machine independent and are simpler to write
code into. Instructions are using English like sentences and each high level language follows a set of
rules, similar to natural languages. However, these languages are not directly understood by the
computer.
Source code: It refers to the original code written in a programming language by a programmer.
Machine code or object code: It refers to the code converted into computer understandable form
(binary code )that a computer can understand and can directly execute.
4.ii) Language Translators:
A language processor is a special type of computer software that can translate the source code into
an object code or machine code. Examples of language translators are: Assembler, Interpreter and
Compiler.
Assembler: Assembler converts the program written in assembly language to machine language.
Interpreter: An interpreter translates program written in high level language to machine language
line by line.
Compiler: A Compiler translates program written in high level language to machine language in one
go.
II) Application Software:
It is the set of programs necessary to carry out operations for a specified application.
They are divided into two categories-
• General Purpose Software:
The application software developed for generic applications, to cater to a bigger audience in
general as per their requirements are called general purpose software. For example,
spreadsheet, Adobe Photoshop, Mozilla web browser, iTunes, etc.
• Customized Software: It is custom or tailor-made application software, that is developed to
meet the requirements of a specific organization or an individual. Eg: Business software,
Inventory Management System, Payroll system etc.
19 What is the difference between Compiler and Interpreter?
Compiler Interpreter
Input A compiler takes entire program An interpreter takes a single line of
as its input code or single instruction (such as
loop)as its input
Output It generates intermediate object It does not generate any intermediate
code from the whole program. object code.
Memory Requires more memory during Requires less memory during
compilation interpretation as interprets single
instruction/ unit-of-code at a time.
Errors Display lists of errors of entire Interpreter displays the error of
program with line numbers and single instruction it is interpreting.
the error(s) in that line Thus errors also appear one line at a
time.
Always No. Once the role of compiler is Always required . Interpreter
required over , a compiler is no longer translates and runs one instruction
required to run the executable every time, so it is always required
file. in memory to run the code.
Workload Compilation once done, stays Interpretation is required each time
always. Recompilation not you have to run the code.The
required if the code (without any interpreter does not create an
change needs to run again. The executable and hence it is required
same executable can be return every time , the code is to run.
without the compiler
Eg of Softwares C , C++, C#, Scala Python, Perl, PHP

20 What are the different Operating System User Interface?

Ans Command based Interface : Command-based interface requires a user to enter the commands to
perform different tasks like creating, opening, editing or deleting a file, etc. The user has to remember
the names of all such programs or specific commands which the operating system supports. The
primary input device used by the user for command based interface is the keyboard. Examples of
operating systems with command-based interface include MS-DOS and Unix.

Graphical User Interface: Graphical User Interface (GUI) lets users run programs or give
instructions to the computer in the form of icons, menus and other visual options. The input devices
used to interact with the GUI commonly include the mouse and the keyboard. Examples of operating
systems with GUI interfaces include Microsoft Windows, Ubuntu, Fedora and Macintosh, among
others.

Touch based Interface: Today smartphones, tablets and PCs allow users to interact with the system
simply using the touch input. Examples of popular operating systems with touchbased interfaces are
Android and iOS. Windows 8.1 and 10 also support touch-based interfaces on touchscreen devices.

Voice based Interface: Users today can use voice-based commands to make a computer work in the
desired way. Some operating systems which provide voice-based control to users include iOS (Siri),
Android (Google Now or “OK Google”), Microsoft Windows 10 (Cortana).

Gesture based Interface : Some smartphones based on Android and iOS as well as laptops let users
interact with the devices using gestures like waving, tilting, eye motion and shaking. This technology
is evolving faster and it has promising potential for application in gaming, medicine and other areas.
21 What are the functions of operating system?
Ans The important services and tasks that an operating system provides for managing the computer
system are:
(A) Process Management:
A program is intended to carry out various tasks. A task in execution is known as process. We can
activate a system monitor program that provides information about the processes being executed on a
computer. It is the responsibility of operating system to manage these processes and get multiple
tasks completed in minimum time. As CPU is the main resource of computer system, its allocation
among processes is the most important service of the operating system. Hence process management
concerns the management of multiple processes, allocation of required resources, and exchange of
information among processes.

(B) Memory Management:

Primary or main memory of a computer system is usually limited. The main task of memory
management is to give (allocate) and take (free) memory from running processes. Since there are
multiple processes running at a time, there arises a need to dynamically (on-the-go) allocate and free
memory to the processes. Operating system should do it without affecting other processes that are
already residing in the memory and once the process is finished, it is again the responsibility of the
operating system to take the memory space back for reutilization. Hence, memory management
concerns with management of main memory so that maximum memory is occupied or utilized by
large number of processes while keeping track of each and every location within the memory as free
or occupied.

(C) File Management:

Data and programs are stored as files in the secondary storage of a computer system. File
management involves the creation, updation, deletion and protection of these files in the secondary
memory. Protection is a crucial function of an operating system, as multiple users can access and use
a computer system. There must be a mechanism in place that will stop users from accessing files that
belong to some other user and have not been shared with them. File management system manages
secondary memory, while memory management system handles the main memory of a computer
system.

(D) Device Management:

A computer system has many I/O devices and hardware connected to it. Operating system manages
these heterogeneous devices that are interdependent. The operating system interacts with the device
driver and the related software for a particular device. The operating system must also provide the
options for configuring a particular device, so that it may be used by an end user or some other
device. Just like files, devices also need security measures and their access to different devices must
be restricted by the operating system to the authorized users, software and other hardware only.